The Super Robot Taisen Game With Keroro, Zoids, And Gurren Lagann

Super Robot Taisen: Operation Extend is an interesting twist on the long running mecha mashup series. Namco Bandai made this an episodic game with the first chapter slated for release on PSP this summer.

Super Robot Taisen: Operation Extend is based on Super Robot Taisen Neo with a free map system that gives robots 360 degrees of movement instead of the grid maps in the other games. This game uses a mix of 3D models in battle with 2D cut in graphics. Let’s take a look at some of the mechs in the game.

Looks good…but 3D SRW games always let me down, they just can’t seem to do the characters justice. From the ones that I’ve played before (on Dreamcast and GC), while the graphic looks all right, the battle animations are just terrible. I mean SRW games are known for the over-the-top-earth-shattering-moon-cracking moves that leaves most people (especially mecha-anime fans) in awe. But as for the 3D ones, most of the attacks just involve the character rushing in a really stiff-looking pose and take a swipe…and that’s it. No mad eva-dashing, acrobatic-jumping, spinning, or any other overly done moves that are present in most of the attacks in the 2D games. At the end of the day, I just skip the battle animations, as they’re pretty much the same and really boring to watch.

I REALLY do hope that they can get it right with this one. I’m sure they can make some really nice 3D battle animation! I’ll be looking forward to it.

The 3D in that game’s actually pretty good. Then again, they only use it for the Super moves.

-I mean SRW games are known for the over-the-top-earth-shattering-moon-cracking moves that leaves most people (especially mecha-anime fans) in awe.

Not….really. Classic never had those. Most of the GBA titles never had those. It wasn’t until you got into Alpha 3/ the DS titles that those became really prominent. I’m glad OG 2nd toned those down and gave them strictly, to characters that earned it in broken status.

Namuro

Actually, I was going to mention that the Scramble Commander series were really good (I even downloaded the trailer ages ago and still watch it sometimes, I love it that much!). But since it’s like a spin off and were done in a different manner, with a more realistic approach, I decided not to compare it.

As for my quote “over-the-top-earth-shattering-moon-cracking moves”, I was thinking of the newer entries, of course. The classic ones obviously wouldn’t have such sophisticated attack animations, due to limited technology and so on.

But by the time a 3D SRW like GC came out, there were ones like MX which already adopted a more lengthy and grander attack animations. I thought for sure that they could translate the combat scenes into 3D, which would be really awesome (super moves cut scenes from games like the Narutimate Storm series would be perfect examples of what I wanted the 3D SRW to look like). But when I actually played the game, I could just see how stiff and lifeless the animations were, a lot of move sets like slashing and stabbing are recycled over and over for most of the characters too.

Though I don’t think I want to give another 3D SRW game a try, I’m still keeping an eye out for future titles like Operation Extend, to see what kind of improvements they can do. I’m hoping that OE will turn out much better than its predecessors.

Exkaiser

But GC is easily one of the best SRWs anyways…

Cerzel

PSP really isn’t the right choice for a 3D SRW. You can already see the aliasing and blurry textures in those screenshots, and how the models look a bit flat in places.
It looks impressive at first glance, sure, but we all know this means there definitely isn’t going to be any squad system in this one either.
They should have saved the 3D for a Vita or PS3 game.

Iman Linggar

if you’ve played neo before, the squad system won’t be a problem anymore. because in Neo(hopefully it’ll apply in OE too) you can switch between units(that not deployed at start of the stage) via mothership multiple times without limits…

Dunno, likely even with a Gurann Lagann-esque machination built by the Keroro platoon, it’s prolly still no match for Natsumi. >XD

…. And something tells me Kururu’s immune to Geass. Kukukuku.

porkiewpyne

Keroro? I’m sold. :D

Ahh if only they would include Zoids from the Genesis series. I liked their designs. Hey, a man can dream, no?

LynxAmali

Genesis is in.

It’s just not a debut [It debuted in K] nor is it possibly in the first part (hence is why they aren’t showcasing it right now.)

porkiewpyne

Cool. Thanks for clearing that up :)

Sergio Briceño

I’m gonna get it. Because it has the Shield Liger.

Spirit Macardi

Sgt. Frog, Zoids, Gurren Lagann, Code Geass… Good god, the only thing this wonderfulness is missing is Star Driver!

Though adding Sgt. Frog at all is damn surprising, since it isn’t even a mecha series! Yeah Keroro likes building Gundam models, but that’s the closest the series ever gets to giant robots. Regardless it’ll be great to hear Kumiko Watanabe’s voice in a video game once again, even though she isn’t playing the Child of the Wind in this.

s07195

Keroro actually had manga spinoffs with giant robots, one for a Sengoku period era, and a Pirate period era. And it all started from the 5 combining giant robots in the screenshots! They even had model kits!

Spirit Macardi

Well, regardless I’m glad to see Keroro in this. It’s one of my favorite series, and pretty much the only anime where I prefer the original Japanese to the dub.

s07195

Hope Natsumi in her Gundam-inspired gear will be playable as an SS-sized unit.

Göran Isacson

Now I’m curious as to what Gurren Lagann will think of the Keroro-crew… because those would be the STRANGEST Beastmen Simon will have ever encountered.

Phantom R

Okay I know I’m slow here, but I haven’t heard of this game or series until just now, just tell me one thing, IS THIS GETTING LOCALIZED OR NOT BECAUSE I NEED IT!

Brandonmkii

LOL no.

Phantom R

Yeah, expected so. Did my research too. Series looks amazing.

TheBlackgirl123

are you surprised they made a crossover

Derek E Nay

That’s it… I need to learn japaness. Anyone know a good way to start learning?